Submergible apparatus



Dec. 14, 1965 J. w. JUSTUS SUBMERGIBLE APPARATUS Filed Sept. 15, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. James M JZ/sf'us BY M,M 7%WW l -l-forne gs 1386- 1965 .1. w..1us'rus SUBMERGIBLE APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 13, 1961 INVENTOR. James M Jas fu:

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SUBMERGIBLE APPARATUS Filed Sept. 15, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet s z yflil- In.

IN VENTOR.

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Hffarn. e gs United States Patent Ofifice 3,222,875 Patented Dec. 14, 1965 3,222,875 SUBMERGKELE APPARATUS James W. Justus, 20525 Marlin Road, Cutler Ridge, Miami, Fla. Filed ept. 13, I961, Ser. No. 137,880 1 Claim. (Cl. 6169) This invention relates to submergible apparatus and more particularly to such apparatus which shall be selfcontained and adapted for both vertical and lateral movement within a body of water while submerged therein.

A more particular object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus of the character designated in which improved means is provided for raising and lowering the apparatus within the water while submerged, and also includes improved means for maintaining the apparatus on an even keel.

Another object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus which shall be particularly adapted for attachment to a disabled submarine whereby the crew of the submarine may be rescued while under water.

A further object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus of the character designated which shall include improved means for introducing air into a submerged vessel whereby the compartments thereof containing water are evacuated and filled with air whereby the vessel returns to the surface.

Another object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus of the character designated which shall be adapted for travel down a cable-like member extending from a disabled or submerged vessel to the surface of the water whereby an air hose from a surface vessel cay be carried to the disabled or submerged vessel to either evacuate the water contained in the submerged vessel or to supply fresh air to a crew remaining therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus of the character designated which shall include an outwardly projecting boom which is adapted for both vertical and lateral movement and adapted for carrying a working tool adjacent the free end thereof.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus of the character designated which shall include a rotatable cleaning element adjacent the free end of the boom for cleaning the surface of a submerged surface.

A further object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus of the character designated which shall include an outwardly opening member adapted for engagement with a submerged surface of a vessel or the like and shall have means associated therewith for applying paint or other suitable coatings to the submerged surface.

Another object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus of the character designated which shall include improved means for excavating or picking up materials from the bottom of a body of water.

A further object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus of the character designated which shall include improved means for luring fish or the like into a cetrain area adjacent the apparatus, together with means for encasing the area with a net whereby the fish or the like are entrapped, thus providing apparatus for capturing select specimens of fish or the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide submergible apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and which shall be adapted for quick operation at any selected area without danger to the crew operating the same.

Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, various forms of submergible apparatus have been devised. However, so far as I am aware, such apparatus has been unsatisfactory due to the fact that no effective means has been provided for controlling the vertical movement of the apparatus whereby the apparatus is maintained on an even keel at all times. Also, such apparatus has been unsatisfactory due to the fact that no effective means has been provided for mounting working tools on the apparatus whereby the tools are controlled from a sealed compartment removed from the tool. Also, such apparatus heretofore employed has provided no effective means for evacuating the water from an area subjacent a sealed compartment whereby a water-free area is provided adjacent a submerged vessel or adjacent the bottom of a body of water.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a sealed compartment having at least one downwardly opening compartment associated therewith. Air is selectively introduced or exhausted from the downwardly opening compartment whereby water is removed from or introduced into the downwardly opening compartment to raise or lower the apparatus. Also, air is supplied to and exhausted from the sealed compartment whereby air is sup plied to the crew working in the sealed compartment. Transparent portholes are provided in the sealed compartment and an outwardly projecting boom is mounted on the apparatus for holding a working tool in proper operating position. The apparatus is raised and lowered by controlling the intake or exhaust of air to the downwardly opening compartment and the apparatus is maintained on an even keel by providing trim tanks at selected positions. To propel the apapratus laterally, I provide a plurality of power operated propellers.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, showing the apparatus associated with a rotary cleaning element;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a housing which is adapted for attachment to the free end of the boom shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus, partly broken away, showing the same associated with a submerged submarine;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which an air conduit is carried from a surface vessel to a submerged vessel;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the bottom closure member for the sealed compartment, parts being broken away and in section, and taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing excavating apparatus associated with my improved apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmental side elevational view showing a net which is adapted for movement over the upper portion of the apparatus whereby fish and the like may be entrapped.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a sealed compartment 10, which preferably is cylindrical in shape. An upper closure member 11 is hingedly connected to the top of the sealed compartment 10 by a suitable hinge connection 12. As shown in FIG. 2, a transparent porthole 13 is provided in the closure member 11. Also, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, portholes 14 are provided in the sides of the sealed compartment 10 while portholes 16 are provided in the ends of the sealed compartment 10. As shown in FIG. 7, a lower closure member 17 is hingedly connected to a subjacent structure associated with the sealed compartment 10 by a suitable hinge connection 18. A transparent porthole 19 is provided in the closure member 17, as shown.

Secured to the undersurface of the sealed compartment 10 and projecting outwardly from opposite sides thereof, as clearly shown in FIG. 2 is a downwardly opening compartment 21'. The upper portion of the compartment 21 is air-tight whereby anyair introduced into the compartment 21 forces water out the lower end of the compartmerit. Secured to the upper surface of the sealed compartment 10 are suitable eye members 22 for attachment to a cable, or the like, whereby the apparatus may be lowered into the water or lifted therefrom, as the case may be.

connected to water sealed motors 24; as shown.

To vary the elevationof the apparatus and maintain the apparatuson an-even keel at all times, I provide trim tanks 26 at the corners of the downwardly opening compartment 21-, as clearly shown in FIG. 2. The lower ends of the trim tanks are opened and spaced from the top of the downwardly opening compartment 21, as shown in FIG. 1, whereby water isfree to enter the lower ends of the trim tanks 26: The remaining portion of each trimtank 26 is water-tight whereby air introduced into each trim tank forces water out the lower end thereof and upon exhausting air from each'trim tank 26, water moves inwardly of the trim tank.

Air is-supplied to the sealed compartment 10 by a suitable supply line 27' which communicates with a valve controlled unit 28, as shown in FIG. Air is exhausted from the sealed compartment by a conduit 29 having a regulating valve 31 therein. The upper end of the supply line 27 communicates with a surface vessel, not shown, having an air compressor for forcing the air downwardly through the conduit 27. The upper end of the conduit 29 is supported above the surface of the water indicated generally at W by a suitable'float member indicated at 30.

Connected to one side of the sealed compartment 10 by a suitable swivel connection 32 is an outwardly projecting boom 33. Mounted for sliding movement on the boom 33 are clamping jaws 34 and 36. The clamping jaw 34 is moved longitudinally of the boom 33 by a fluid pressure operated cylinder 37 having a piston rod 38. The clamping jaw 36 is moved longitudinally of the boom 33 by a fluid pressure operated cylinder 39 having a piston rod 41". The fluidpressure operated cylinder 37 is connected to the sealed compartment 10 by a swivel connection indicated generally at 42- while the fluid pressure operated-cylinder 39 is operatively' connected to the sealed compartment 10-by a swivel connection 43'.

The outer end or free end of the boom 33 and the apparatus associated therewith is raised and lowered relative to the sealed compartment 10 by a fluid'pressure operated cylinder 44 which is connected at one end to the sealed compartment-1t) by which a swivel connection 46. Projecting outwardly from the other end' of the cylinder 44 is a piston rod 45 which is pivotally connected as at 47 to an upstanding bracket 48 carried by the boom 33. The free end of the boom 33 may be counterbalanced by providing a suitable inflatable buoy 35 supported by a rigid support member 35* carried by the jaw 34. Lateral movement of the boom' 33 is obtained by a fluid pressure operated cylinder 49' which is connected to the sealed compartment 10 by aswivel connection 51. Projecting outwardly from the other end of the cylinder 49 is a piston rod 52 which is pivotally connected as at 53 to an upstanding bracket 54 carried by the boom 33. The fluid pressure operated cylinders for raising and lowering the boom 33 and moving the boom laterally, together with the cylinders for moving the clamping jaws 34 and 36 The apparatus is propelled forward; rearward, and to the sides by suitable propellers 23which are operatively are controlled by suitable control means mounted within the sealed compartment 10. In view of the fact that such control means for fluid pressure operated cylinders are well known in the art, no detail description thereof is deemed necessary.

Preferably, the inner surface of the abutting clamping jaws 34 and 36 is generally arcuate in shape so that the jaws are adapted to receive a cable-like member therebetween, as shown in FIG. 6, whereby the apparatus may be guided down the cable to a submerged vessel, as shown in FIG. 6. While I have shown the clamping jaws as being arcuate in shape, it will be apparent that the clamping jaws might have other working tools associated therewith, such as cable cutters or the like.

Motion pictures may be taken with my apparatus by mounting cameras within the sealed compartment 10 adjacent the transparent portholes therein.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a working tool may be attached to the Camping jaw 34 by suitable retaining means 56. The working tool shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a rotary cleaning brush 57 which is driven by a suitable water-sealed motor 58; The rotary cleaning brush 57 is adapted to engage the exterior surface 59 of a submerged surface of a vessel. Accordingly, the entire undersurface of a vessel may be cleaned while it is submerged, thereby eliminating the necessity of having to dry dock the vessel. A suitable paint spray nozzle may be attached to the clamping jaw 34 in place of the rotary cleaning brush 57 whereby the water adjacent the area to be painted is blown away and the paint is applied to the substantially waterfree surface, such paint spray apparatus being well known in the art. The paint applied to the surface is a paint which is adapted to cure while under water.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 I show a modified formof painting apparatus in which a housing 60 is detachably connected to the free end of the boom 33 by suitable means, such as bolts 61'. The housing 60 is open at one end thereof as at 62 and is provided with a resilient gasket 63 which is adapted to engage the submerged surface to be painted. A paint nozzle 64 is mounted within the housing 60 and is supported by suitable conduits 66 and 67 for supplying air and paint. The housing 69 is preferably formed of a transparent material, such as plexiglass, whereby the application of paint onto an adjacent surface may be observed from the sealed compartment 10.

While I have shown the spray nozzle 64 as being supported by substantially rigid means, it will be apparent that the spray nozzle could be attached to flexible conduits for supplying paint and air to the nozzle 64. A transverse support member 68 is mounted within the housing 60 for supporting a worker whereby the paint may be applied by spray means or by brush. Air is supplied to the housing 60 by a conduit 69 whereby water is continuously forced out of the housing 60. That is, the upper portion of the housing 60 is free of water, as shown in FIG. 4, by continuously introducing air through the conduit 69.

Where a worker is employed within the housing 60, the worker enters the housing before the housing is positioned adjacent the surface to be painted. As the housing is lowered into the water, air is continuously introduced through the conduit 69, thereby preventing water from entering the housing. It will be noted that the resilient gasket 63 is in contact with the surface to be painted. In addition to painting, the housing 60 is adapted for use in cleaning or repairing areas of a submerged surface, such as the undersurface of a vessel.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7 of the drawings, I show my improved apparatus adapted for use in rescuing crews from submerged vessels and salvaging submerged vessels. Mounted subjacent the sealed compartment 10 within the downwardly opening compartment 21 is an annular housing 71 having a bottom wall 72 which comprises a stationary portion 73 to which the closure member 17 is hingedly connected by the hinge 18, as shown in FIGS, 7 and 8.

Positioned adjacent the under surface of the housing 71 is a downwardly flaring housing 74 which projects beneath the lower end of the downwardly opening compartment 21, as shown. Suitable reinforcing gussets 76 are provided at the lower end of the housing 74. The outer edges of the gusset members 76 slope inwardly, as shown to facilitate movement of the lower end of the housing into engagement with a hatch 77 of a submarine indicated generally at 78. An annular resilient sealing member 79 is secured to the lower end of the housing 74 to provide a water-tight seal with the submarine 78.

Mounted within the lower portion of the sealed compartment are a pair of fluid pressure operated cylinders 81 having piston rods 82 projecting downwardly therefrom. The upper ends of the piston rods 82 project outwardly of the cylinders 81 and extend laterally thereof as at 83 to provide operating handles for turning the piston rods 82. The lower ends of the piston rods 82 are connected to depending actuating members 84 by suitable couplings 86. The lower ends of the actuating members 84 extend outwardly as at 87 in position to fit beneath an inwardly extending annular flange 88 carried by an annular member 89 which in turn is secured to the submarine 78, as shown.

Air is supplied to the housing 74 by a conduit 91 which in turn communicates with a valve 92. Valve 92 is in communication with the valve unit 28 which receives air from the conduit 27 which in turn is in communication with a surface vessel.

The submarine 78 is provided with a manifold 93 having a plurality of control valves associated therewith for directing air to individual compartments of the submarine and indicated at 94. The compartments 94 are separated by conventional type closure members 96, as shown. The valve control means for introducing air into selected ones of the compartments 94 might be of a type disclosed in my patent, No. 2,377,695, dated June 5, 1945. In view of the fact that the valve arrangement for selectively introducing the air into the compartments 94 is now Well known in the art, no detail description thereof is deemed necessary.

Communicating with the manifold 93 is a conduit 97 which projects upwardly above the surface of the submarine 78 as at 98. A suitable sealed closure member 99 is provided at the upper end of the portion 98 which prevents the passage of water into the conduit 97. Air is supplied to the conduit 97 by connecting a conduit 101 to the closure member 99. Preferably, the closure member 99 is in the form of a rubber-like member which telescopes over the upper portion 98 of the conduit 97. Upon moving the supply conduit 101 into the closure member 99, the closure member is ruptured whereby an air-tight and water-tight joint is provided between the conduits 97 and 101. Since such connection means between conduits is well known in the art, no further description thereof is herein given. The upper end of the conduit 101 communicates with a compressor mounted in a surface vessel indicated generally at 102, as shown in FIG. 6.

Each compartment 94 is provided with a check valve arrangement indicated generally at 103. Each check valve comprises a cylindrical housing 104 having a valve seat 106. A movable valve member 107 is urged into contact with the seat 106 by a coil spring 108. The valve is so constructed that the external pressure of the water outwardly of the submarine urges the valve members 107 toward seated position. However, when suflicient air is introduced into the compartment 94 to overcome the pressure exerted by the water outwardly of the submarine, the water is forced outwardly of the compartment 94.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings, I show the manner in which the lower end of the conduit 101 is connected to the closure member 99 of the submarine 78. The submarine 78 is equipped with a releasable buoy 109 which is connected to the submarine by a flexible cable 111. The buoy 109 carries a radio whereby upon release of the buoy after being disabled, distress signals are continuously given off by the buoy 109, thus continuously indicating that a submarine is disabled beneath the buoy. The conduit 101 is attached to the boom 33 whereby it moves downwardly with my improved submergible apparatus. The cable 111 is clamped between the clamping jaws 34 and 36 whereby the cable is free to ride within the space defined within the arcuate faces of the jaws. Upon reaching the submarine 78, the lower end of the conduit 101 is connected to the conduit 97, thereby supplying air to the manifold 93 and the individual compartments of the submarine. Accordingly, if the crew is still in the submarine, fresh air is supplied to the crew. If certain compartments of the submarine are filled with water, the incoming air is directed to the compartment to force water out through the check valves 103. After suflicient water has been removed from the submarine, the submarine will surface whereby the crew may be rescued or the submarine salvaged.

In connecting the housing 74 to the submarine 78, the lower ends of the actuating members 84 are connected to the inturned flanges 88 of the annular member 89 and the fluid pressure operated cylinders 81 are energized to thereby firmly lock the lower end of the housing 74 to the subjacent submarine 78. Water is then removed from the housing 74 by a conduit 112 having a control valve 113 therein. The control valve 113 is actuated by a suitable actuating member 114 which projects upwardly within the sealed compartment 10, as shown in FIG. 5. After the water has all been evacuated from the housing 74, the valve 113 is closed. The pressure within the housing 74 may be equalized with the pressure within the sealed compartment 10 by opening a control valve unit 116 which is interposed between the compartment 10 and the housing 74. The closure member 17 may then be moved downwardly to open position and the trap door for the submarine may be opened.

A second unit 117 may be provided at the side of the sealed compartment 10 for connection to a hatch of a submerged vessel. The unit 117 is substantially identical to the unit mounted at the lower end of the housing 74. Accordingly, no further description thereof is deemed necessary. Preferably, the closure member for the unit 117 is provided with a suitable transparent porthole whereby anyone within the sealed compartment may look outwardly from that side.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, I show excavating apparatus associated with my improved submergible apparatus. The excavating apparatus may be in the form of grab buckets or the like indicated at 118 carried by suitable hoisting apparatus indicated generally at 119. The hoisting apparatus 119 is provided with an air-tight compartment for housing the operator and air is supplied to the compartment by suitable conduits 121. The hoisting apparatus is supported by transverse plates 122 carried by the lower surface of the downwardly opening compartment 21, as shown.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 the operator is positioned within the sealed compartment of the hoisting apparatus prior to being submerged in the water. After the job has been completed, the apparatus is raised to the surface and the operator removed therefrom. The apparatus shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is particularly adapted for digging trenches or the like alongside submerged vessels whereby the vessels may be turned over into the trench to thereby position the vessels for raising to the surface. Air is introduced into the submerged vessel by taking down a conduit 101 whereby the water is forced outwardly of the submerged vessel.

In FIG. 11 of the drawings, I show a further modified form of my invention in which a net indicated generally at 123 is mounted over the trim tanks 26 in position to move downwardly to encase the upper portion of the submergible apparatus. That is, the net 26 is adapted to move downwardly into contact with the upper portion of the downwardly opening compartment 21 whereby fish or the like may be entrapped in this area. The fish are lured into an area adjacent the upper portion of the apparatus by positioning suitable bait on the upper surface of the downwardly opening compartment 21 at opposite sides of the sealed compartment 10. After the selected fish have entered this area, the net is dropped to thereby entrap the fish.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised improved submergible apparatus which is self-contained and adapted to take down a hose for supplying air to a submerged vessel, thereby not only making it possible to rescue a crew within the submerged vessel, but also making it possible to salvage a submerged vessel. Also, by providing a downwardly opening compartment 21. which is adapted to engage the bottom of the body of water, by removing the housing 74, my improved apparatus is adapted for actually forming a water-free compartment adjacent the bottom of the body of water. Accordingly, anyone within the compartment 21 can actually walk around on the bottom of the body of water by continuously introducing air into the downwardly opening compartment 21 to expel water therefrom.

While I have shown my improved apparatus as being of a particular construction and size, it will be apparent that the sides of the downwardly opening compartment 21 may be extended in all directions to thereby provide more positive buoyancy for the apparatus. Also, the sealed compartment 10 may be varied in size and the number and size of the trim tanks 26 may be varied to accommodate the particular use to be made of the apparatus. Furthermore, while I have shown the means for holding the housing 60 against a surface as being the propellers 23, it will be apparent that magnets, such as permanent or electro magnets, may be employed with the housing 60. That is, the magnets would be carried by the housing 60 or by the sealing means therefor in positions to be adjacent the iron surface of a vessel or the like.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is' not so limited, but is susceptible to various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

Submergible apparatus adapted to be submerged in water and comprising a sealed compartment, at least one downwardly opening compartment and of a size, shape and weight for rescue, research and salvage mounted beneath said sealed compartment, a removable closure member between said sealed compartment and said downwardly opening compartment adapted to selectively communicate the compartments with each other and separate said compartments from each other, a control valve between said sealed compartment and said downwardly opening compartment whereby relative pressure between the compartments may be controlled, air supply means adapted to be supported at the surface of the water in which the apparatus is submerged and communicating with said sealed compartment to introduce air into said sealed compartment, means to exhaust air from said sealed compartment, a plurality of downwardly opening trim tanks carried by at least one of said compartments, means to selectively introduce air into and exhaust air from said trim tanks whereby water is removed from and introduced into said trim tanks to raise and lower said downwardly opening compartment and said sealed compartment and maintain the apparatus on an even keel, means to selectively introduce air into and exhaust air from said downwardly opening compartment whereby water is removed from and introduced into said downwardly opening compartment, a removable closure member adjacent an upper portion of said sealed compartment, self-propelled means to propel said apparatus through the water while the apparatus is submerged, an outwardly projecting tool carrying boom carried by the sealed compartment and power operating means for moving said boom to selected positions relative to the sealed compartment, said tool comprising a housing having one end thereof open and disposed to engage a submerged surface, means to in troduce air continuously into said housing while said housing is adjacent said submerged surface to thus prevent the entry of water into said housing, and means to support painting apparatus and a worker within said housing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 773,146 10/1904 Huguett et al. 6169 975,534 11/1910 King 61-69 1,795,408 3/ 1931 ORourke 6169 1,834,798 12/1931 Nair 6169.1 1,854,906 4/1932 Kulik 61-69 1,916,294 7/1933 Bacinick 61--69 1,959,370 5/1934 Lake 61--69 2,519,453 8/1960 Goodman 6169 2,987,893 6/1961 Robinson 61-69 3,020,722 2/ 1962' Harter 61-69 3,063,507 11/1962 ONeill et al. 166-66.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 5,273 10/ 1825' Great Britain.

2,268 10/ 1858 Great Britain.

802 2/ 1878 Great Britain.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, EARL J. WIT MER,

Examiners.

T. W. FLYNN, R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiners. 

